Last summer I selected a photo of my grandparents to be the album cover for this project.

This was not supposed to be a political statement.

Regardless of my intent, it now is one. Their image, as survivors of the 1948 ethnic cleansing, and as lifelong refugees, is a political statement when today, a second Nakba is occuring.

This was supposed to be a personal project, dealing with nostalgia, memory, family, and childhood. It was with these feelings in mind I selected this photo.

But like so many other Palestinians, they didn’t have a choice to not be political. There’s no opting out of politics when politics is interested in you.

The words, "how can we say nothing?”, in conjunction with my grandparents image was not necessarily meant to beg the question, “how can you say nothing about Palestine?"

These words came out of a period of exploring my past. They mean something specific to me that is apparent in the context of the music. But I realize that this combination of image and words assumes a new meaning, and I am ready to embrace that. It is ultimately going to mean different things to different people, and even my own relationship to this project has changed over time quite a bit.

I can't escape a sense of guilt doing something as privileged as releasing music at all while my people undergo a genocide. I also feel like there has to be a meaning to the timing of releasing this album right now. I can only hope that on some level this project can offer solace and continue to foster advocacy for Palestinians.

Free my people. Free Palestine. From the river to the sea. 

Credits:

released February 15, 2024

All music composed by Bilal Nasser
Backing Vocals: Nate Blackton
Mixing: Nate Blackton
Mastering: Andrew McLeod (Sunnsetter)
Cello on track 7: Matt Magerkurth
Violins on track 7: Natalie Wong